Placental characteristics and complications in monochorionic twin pregnancies

Zhao, D.P. (2016)

Doctoral Thesis

Increasing body of evidence shows that perinatal outcomes in MC twins are strongly associated with the complications resulting from the unique angioarchitecture in MC placentas, in particular the placental vascular anastomoses. Due to the extensive application of prenatal ultrasound examination, an increasing number and types of complication dedicated for MC twins are being diagnosed. Delineation of the placental characteristics classified by specific complications may shed light on the pathophysiology of various complications in MC twins. One of the great successes in fetal therapy is the introduction of fetoscopic laser coagulation of vascular anastomoses for the treatment of twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). The investigation on postoperative complications in TTTS placentas is crucial for the further improvement of fetoscopic laser surgery and improvement of perinatal outcome. Since 2002, all MC placentas delivered at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) are consecutively being examined and injected with colored dye. This large database of MC placentas (n=940 in 2016) allows detailed investigation of the pathogenesis and clinical outcome of these rare diseases.

 

• Monochorionic
• Twin
• Placenta
• Twin-twin transfusion
• Vascualr anastomoses
• Fetoscopy
• Intrauterine inflammation

• All authors: Zhao, D.P.
• Supervisor: Lopriore, E.; Oepkes, D.
• Committee: Rings, E.H.; Devlieger, R.; Sun, L.M.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Faculty of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden University
• Date: 2016-11-08
• ISBN (print): 9789462994546
• Sponsorship: China Scholarship Council